Back in November, Dr. Catanzaro recommended that we do the Gene Savvy genetic test for Anthony. Even though we had done 23 and Me 2 years ago, he thought the Gene Savvy test could provide us with more answers as to possible health conditions Anthony might be having. The big question was, was everything Anthony had experienced over the years truly Autism and PANDAS? Or was this really something else?

(Formerly Courtagen Testing. Gene Savvy has same kits)

We already knew based on Anthony’s 23 and Me, that his thyroid and glucose/insulin metabolism were an issue.

This was also confirmed through blood labs. High TSH levels, borderline low iodine levels, low selenium, and a pre-diabetic A1C. We were truly on to something, and started treating these things with great result.

So while we waited impatiently for Anthony’s Gene Savvy results to come back, we implemented a diabetic type diet for Anthony. High protein, low carb, with a fat. I also have been tracking his blood sugar with a glucose monitor. This pic below was taken 2 hours after dinner one night. Too low! Before we found out about Anthony’s insulin/glucose issues, I would of sent him to bed without knowing he was having blood sugar levels this low. Implementing this change, has had a major influence on his mood swings he was having prior to.

We added selenium to his supplement list, and his OCD went away. His TSH has also dropped a point since starting selenium. He is still too high, but seeing a downward trend.

So then the day came that I received Anthony’s Gene Savvy results!! And out of what seems like thousands of genes that were looked at, Anthony had a few hits. 8 hits total. But 2 that have to do with glucose/insulin metabolism and fasting intolerance. (you can click to make these pics bigger)

“Resulted in inhibition of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion by 5%-69%”

“Some have a degree of intolerance to fasting”

Dr. Catanzaro and Dr. Boles consulted with each other and are having me make a few changes. We are trying Anthony on Magnesium Citrate, which is suppose to help with his glucose/insulin metabolism. Also have added Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) for the ACADS gene mutation. I will also eventually start him on some iodine for his thyroid. But one thing at a time.

Gene Savvy is currently mailing out test kits for myself, my husband and my 5 year old daughter. They will be testing for the variants that showed up on Anthony’s test results. According to the test results, they want to find out if these variants are “de novo” or inherited and to correlate genotype with phenotype. I of course will let you all know what this shows.

But what I am most excited about is, Dr. Catanzaro will be writing an article up for me, and all of you, explaining all of these results. I asked him if he believed Anthony ever had autism based on his genetic reports, since he has seen his 23 and me and Gene Savvy results. Dr. Catanzaro (and our new integrative pediatrician) both believe that Anthony’s thyroid and glucose/insulin metabolism has been one of the main root causes of his “autism symptoms”. Genetically he does not have any of the genes doctors find common with those with autism. In the article Dr. Catanzaro will be writing up, he will explain how Anthony’s thyroid,glucose/insulin issues could manifest as autism spectrum symptoms. I’m interested in reading what he has to say.

I have always tried to be honest and upfront on my blog. And to share everything I learn along the way. To hear two very well versed doctors, that deal with autism every day, tell me they don’t believe Anthony truly had autism…… Well it has hit me like a ton of bricks! At first when I heard this, I thought to myself. “YAY!” And then I thought… “OMG my followers are going to think I’ve been a fraud, a poser, a fake!” That they would think “Oh, her child doesn’t really have autism so everything she has told us, has no real bearing anymore” But then I got to thinking. If this happened to Anthony, to my child…… it HAS TO be happening to others!!! Although the label may not be correct, the symptoms are the same. It seems to be what we have thought all along is true. AUTISM IS MEDICAL! And this catch all diagnosis, is hindering some parents from exploring and digging for more answers. Answers that are there if we keep on perusing the issue. Our kids have medical issues going on, that CAN BE TREATED! But some parents hear “Autism” and just think, that’s it. But there IS A REASON! A CAUSE!!! Our children have autoimmune issues, mitochondrial disorders, vitamin deficiencies due to a damaged gut. And the list goes on and on. So we must keep perusing, doing the testing….. doing the WORK!

Genetic testing has been a big game changer in our journey, and I truly believe it is something everyone should peruse. I will keep you all updated as the rest of my families results come in. Until then readers, just keep digging!!

If you would like to make an appointment with Dr. Catanzaro, or just want more information, you can read more info here Health Coach 7

46 Responses

this is truly amazing! Could you send me a link to the genetic testing that you do? My son Has been wait listed for 5yrs!! Up here in Canada to be tested. I believe a lot of his issues could be explained this way. I’m so happy to hear you have more answers and that your mama instincts were dead on!! ?

We did the Courtagen testing in 2014 for my son and he popped for 2. One came from me and one from my husband. One was an enzyme deficiency for Hunters syndrome and we had the bloodwork done for that but it was negative.

My whole family enrolled in the genome study so we are going to get our entire genome sequenced. I am excited to get those results since we have a peek into me, my husband and son. I am really happy to get my NT daughters results so that they will know if there are any issues if they decide to have kids.

Laureen – I’m so happy to hear that you got some helpful information as well. I’m anxious to get the rest of our kits, and find out if others in my family have the same variants. I believe I have the fasting intolerance like Anthony, as I get similar symptoms when I don’t eat in a timely manner.

This is amazing. But does this mean that there are SNPs in Courtagen that are not in 22andMe? There are 700,000 SNPs in the 23andMe test. It might be worth checking first to save money for some of us. Can you share which SNPs Courtagen is testing?

Nina – Courtagen is specifically looking for genes associated with the following medical disorders and medical issues. Which are helpful to us in the autism community. http://www.courtagen.com/test-menu.htm Also what is great about Courtagen is a well versed genetic doctor goes over your results and consults with your own doctor.

Great news! I’ve always believed the spike in autism diagnosis is due to health/medical issues. I’m going to try that genetic testing with Health Coach 7 for my son. We did 23 and Me a year ago. Happy for you that you’re getting the right answers to help your son!!

Does Dr. Catanzaro meet via Skype or telephone? From the responses I am seeing, he seems to be a doctor that doesn’t necessarily have to be in your City/State. Can the Courtagen test be used for kids diagnosed with ADD?

Carlene – yes he does “Go To Meeting ” Which is similar to skype. He see’s people from all over the world! Yes the Courtagen test can be used for kids diagnosed with ADD. It might be an underlying issue creating ADD like symptoms. I would contact Tana (the rep who helped me. Shes fabulous) and she can answer all your questions. And if you do decide to get the test, she will get you the best price (we got it for free) on the Courtagen Care application. Her number is 206-305-6174

Hi. I am looking at the courtagen website. my son had the 23 and me but i never got real good explanation of it. I would like to get the courtagen testing, but I would like to know which one you ordered? My son has suspected autism, but i’m not so sure, i feel he would benefit from the autism genetic testing as well as the mitochondrial testing. I’m guessing you have to specify which one you want or do they run them all? I see that your doctor has to order this test, is that right? would catanzaro’s group go over the results and maybe go over the 23 and me too? do you know?

Jennifer – yes Dr. Catanzaro will go over your childs 23 and Me results with you intensively. He also puts the entire appointment on a recorded video for you to keep and creates a very detailed report to email to you. Its awesome. He can also order the Courtagen test for you, and his rep Tana can help you qualify for the Courtagen care program so the test will be a 0 or very little cost. You can fill out the intake form here and someone will contact you regarding the test. https://www.healthcoach7.com/courtagen-intake-form/ I would also call Health Coach 7 to set up a consult for the 23 and me results. =-) http://www.healthcoach7.com Let me know if you have any questions.

Anyone with a child on the spectrum should read the book “Healing the Symptoms of Autism”, by Kerri Rivera. Just read it. It’s a safe anti-parasitical protocol that has reversed Autism in over 200 kids so far, and hundreds, pehaps thousands more are halfway there. Pathogens and parasites are flooding the children’s systems with morphine and acetylaldehyde, and other metabolic toxins too numerous to mention here. Don’t assume you or your children can’t have parasites, because you have had a negative stool test. They are extremely inaccurate, and have many false negatives. Just assume you have them and go from there. Don’t assume that you are clean, and your food is clean, so you can’t have parasites, they are microscopic, and yes, you can have them. Don’t assume very young children can’t have them, babies of a few months old can easily have them. We are born with what ever parasites and pathogens our Mothers had.

Dee – I personally don’t agree with the Kerri Rivera protocol. I have heard it’s worked for some, but I have also read a lot of information on it that sounds incredibly dangerous, and have never thought it was a fit for my child.

Hi kim, I have a 10 year old boy who has PANDAS. I am thinking of doing 23 and me, do you think I should do that as well as courtagen? He had bloodwork done and has the MTHFR gene mutation which has answered several questions but I am suspicious there is much more to the story. He is not autistic and was truly a normal functioning kid until strep 2 years ago. Now, he has all sorts of things going on, as well as some autistic like symptoms. Thanks!!

hi
i am waiting for Genova’s Nutreval and CDSA test results and courtagen test results.
I want to book appointment with Dr Catanzaro, should i wait until the results are out?
How long one has to wait for his appointment , after booking ?

Hi
I have booked appointment under Dr Catanzaro.
I am new to this app, Go To Meeting
How does it work, Do i have to download it first in my laptop?
How did u upload your lab data to him? can i just email the lab results to Kris Fobes?

Sskl – I know you will just love him! Go to mtg is like skype. If you do it on your laptop/computer there is nothing you need to download. Health coach 7 will send you a link that you click for your appointment with instructions. If you do the appointment on a ipad or smart phone, then there is an app you can download. Again, the instructions will be in the email they send out before the appointment. You can email all the labs to kris.

Hi Kimberly, I see on the Healthcoach7 website you can only order the genetic test if you are a doctor; is there a way to access the services as a private patient? My family doctor here in the UK would not agree to anything like that…

thanks to share all your experience with everyone. I’m really happy to see you lovely son is fully recovery for autism. My little boy is just 5 and we already start his biomed since this June. I would like to try 23andme and Courtagen for him. We are in London so i don’t think we can use Health coach 7, could you please tell me how can i contact Dr. Catanzaro?
Many thanks and have a great thanksgiving day!

I came across your blog and decided to contact Dr Catanzaro as you explained how great he was. I did, and was asked to do the 23andme test, which I also did (it was a real hassle as I’m based in Africa), but we found a way round it with great help from the Dr’s assistant. Waited 6 weeks and got the results which I then sent to Health Coach 7. Paid the $250 for the Skype consultation with Dr Catanzaro – I’ve honestly never been more disappointed in my entire life. I gained NOTHING from the session, he went on using some terms I had zilch idea about and did not explain in plain English, what the results meant. He then gave me a long list of supplements (which he didn’t explain in detail what each one was / what they were supposed to help with). He just gave me a link to his site to purchase said supplements, and asked me to go and do the Courtagen tests. I get soo sad and annoyed whenever I think about the $250 I paid…

Angel – wow! That hasn’t been my experience at all with Dr. Catanzaro. You can always email him to ask about certain supplements and why your child needs them. He has always answered any questions I had. Also his list is usually a “suggestion” list. You don’t have to do every supplement or order from his office. I’ve ordered many off Amazon. As for testing. We found answers from 23 and me and Courtagen. So I found them both helpful and I’m happy we did both. I’m sorry you had a bad experience. Maybe call them and talk to them. They are great people and I have always found them helpful with any questions I had.

My son is showing signs of autism and takin OT and speech therapies, he is progressing slowly so I did my homework to find out about biomedical approach, can yo please share how much roughly all these test would cost, thanks in advance !

Yuyu Mom – We did initial testing and consult appointments and those were pretty pricey in the beginning. I will admit. But after that, the cost was not that crazy. Most insurance will cover labs. Some dr’s will even take insurance now. Our primary integrative medicine dr does. So when I take Anthony in, its only my $15 co pay.

Follow Us

BioMedical Helpful Links

Cheapest place to order Supplements!

Testimonials

Answers to a confused mother’s prayers!

Kimberley, I will forever be greatful to your blog. You honestly were an answer to my prayers in the darkest time of my childrens and our lives. I first came across your blog heart broken searching on google to see if there was hope for my two yea...